Simulated head apparatus with lcd display face

ABSTRACT

A simulated head apparatus, with or without a body, comprised of an electronic device capable of playing audio-visual images, an LCD screen, and software capable of storing, recording, and playing audio-visual images of faces on the LCD screen, wherein the LCD screen is disposed on the simulated head apparatus where a face would appear, such that various facial images can appear in the simulated head apparatus. The simulated head apparatus also features head accessories, such as hats, wigs, ears, jewelry, or a goatee. The electronic device can be a portable electronic device removable from the simulated head apparatus, or the electronic device can be integrated into a body with the LCD screen integrated into the head. The simulated head can also be a computer monitor in the shape of a head with means for fastening head accessories.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of provisional patent application No. 61/404,355 filed on Oct. 4, 2010.

FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH: Not Applicable SEQUENCE LISTING OR PROGRAM: Not Applicable STATEMENT REGARDING COPYRIGHTED MATERIAL

Portions of the disclosure of this patent document contain material that is subject to copyright protection. The copyright owner has no objection to the facsimile reproduction by anyone of the patent document or the patent disclosure as it appears in the Patent and Trademark Office file or records, but otherwise reserves all copyright rights whatsoever.

BACKGROUND

The present invention relates to an entertainment or educational device, and particularly to a combination of realistic art and electronic video. The invention comprises an audio-video device playback media integrated in a simulated head, with or without a body, wherein an LCD screen is disposed in the head where the face would normally appear. Images of recorded or pre-recorded talking faces would play on the LCD screen so that it would appear as if the head, with or without a body, belonged to the face in the LCD screen. The head, and/or body, can be that of a person, animal, cartoon character, insect, dinosaur, plant, or any other living thing. One embodiment would be a stuffed animal with an indentation in the face of the stuffed animal, wherein a small portable electronic device capable of playing a video of a talking face can be attached. A second embodiment would be a computer monitor resembling a head with attachment means for attaching various physical accessories, such as a wig, hat, goatee and jewelry. A third embodiment would be a doll with an LCD screen built into the face.

Small portable electronic devices which play video and audio are known. These include digital picture frames, mp3 players, clocks, cell phones, etc. There exist various electronic devices that attempt to personalize the electronic device. For example, US Publication No. US 2008/0167099 A1 in the name of Liu is a mobile device having a skin with an enameled metal structure that creates a China-chic beauty and feel. Also, US Publication No. US 2009/0322982 A1 by Finnegan transforms an LCD display into a digital picture frame in which an LCD display screen having various stored images is encased in a plastic or wooden frame made to resemble a printed picture frame. Thus, whether or not small portable devices contain stored or internet-based content, attempts have been made to personalize these devices.

Also known are artificial talking subjects, including dolls and robots, computer generated images of people or animals, cartoons, etc. However, these talking subjects are limited to the physical dimensions with which they were constructed, or are confined to a display screen. None of these artificial talking subjects incorporate both the physical dimensions of a talking subject with a display screen. In particular, none of these incorporate a display screen with an audio-visual playback of a face onto a doll, robot, or artificial head (with or without a body).

Also, known are video dolls with a video camera including a display screen, or a video camera in the shape of a doll. Included in these are nanny cams comprised of a hidden video camera in stuffed animals. Also included are video cameras in the shape of dolls having LCD display screens. For example, US 2009/0197504 A1 filed by Hsu teaches a doll with an LCD screen in the body of the doll while a Barbie doll exists with an LCD screen in the back of the Barbie doll. See http://www.barbie.com/videogirl/ (attached). However, these inventions are limited in that the doll's faces do not change. This is because the images that appear on the LCD screen were not intended to depict talking faces in such a manner that it would appear that the talking face is that of the doll (or that the head and body of the doll is that of the talking face). Thus, the personality of the doll does not change, nor can a user pretend that they are holding a doll of the person or personality appearing on the LCD display screen. With the present invention, a child left alone at home can pretend that her mother is with her by playing a recorded audio-video image of her mother's face on the face of her doll.

Finally, is a computerized system for designing a pattern to be applied to a doll or toy is known. See US 2006/0286512 A1 to Cogliano. Here, while the clothing patterns may change, the personality of the doll remains the same because the face or voice does not change. Having the ICD screen built into the face of the doll, as well as having an array of pre-recorded faces to choose from, including cartoon characters, provides a lot more versatility with a doll because the doll can take on any personality that appears on the screen.

Thus, the objective of the present invention is to merge a portable electronic audio-video playback device wherein an LCD display is integrated with a head, with or without a body, in order to more personalize small portable electronic devices as well as to add more versatility and fun to artificial talking subjects, e.g., doll, stuffed animal. The combination thereof of an integrated electronic video-audio face in a head, with or without a body, offers a myriad of opportunities for entertainment or education in a far more realistic and engrossing manner than utilization of a doll or an LCD display screen separately.

The new invention will have numerous advantageous uses whether as a clock, toy, information device, comedy device, personal toy, educational device, entertainment device or celebrity simulation device, including interactive capability.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is a new application of entertainment and educational technology, in particular, a simulated head apparatus of a person, animal, or toy figure, with or without general features of a body, wherein an audio-video display device is integrated into the head so that an LCD screen is disposed where the face of the head would normally appear.

One embodiment of the inventive apparatus is a simulated head apparatus of a person, doll head, or toy head, with or without a body. The simulated head apparatus comprises an indentation in the face of the head wherein a portable electronic device can be attached. A recorded or pre-recorded image of a person's talking face would appear on an LCD display screen of the portable electronic device so that it would appear as if the simulated head is that of the recorded or pre-recorded face appearing on the LCD display screen.

Another embodiment of the inventive apparatus is a computer monitor shaped like a head with attachment means for physical characteristics of a living thing, including ears, hair, antennas, beard, goatee, headwear, protective headwear, a mane, horns, halo, gills, fins, neck frills, or earrings and jewelry. As recorded or pre-recorded images of a face appear on the computer monitor, it would appear as if the computer monitor shaped like a head is that of the person or personality appearing on the computer screen.

A third embodiment of the inventive apparatus is a doll or toy figure wherein an LCD screen is integrated into the head of the doll or toy figure where the face would normally appear, and an electronic device for playing video images is integrated into the body of the doll or toy figure. The electronic device and LCD screen are connected. When an image of a talking face appears on the LCD screen, it would appear as if the doll or stuffed toy is the person or personality appearing on the LCD screen.

In all three embodiments, a user may select from a variety of facial images using software for recording, storing, and displaying recorded and pre-recorded images of faces. Also, in all three embodiments, permanently attached or detachably attached accessories resembling physical characteristics of a person's head, or a frame containing artwork of said physical characteristics, are available to the user to more personalize the simulated head apparatus.

DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a front view of the simulated head apparatus of the first embodiment showing a portable electronic device inserted into a simulated head apparatus atop a display stand.

FIG. 2 shows the simulated head apparatus with ears and an indentation where a face would normally appear and into which a portable electronic device may be inserted. FIG. 3 shows the simulated head apparatus with a wig accessory.

FIG. 4A shows a simulated head with a body and no portable electronic device attached, while FIG. 4B shows the simulated head with a body and a portable electronic device attached in the face of the head.

FIGS. 5A and 5B shows two simulated heads with two bodies, one in the form of a girl and one in the form of a horse.

FIGS. 6 show a computer monitor in the shape of a head with means for attaching physical characteristics of a living thing, with hat, earrings, and goatee accessories.

FIG. 7 is diagram of a doll showing an LCD screen integrated into the head of the doll and electronic components embedded in the body.

DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1 shows the first embodiment of the inventive apparatus 100 comprised of a simulated head 200 with ears and a portable electronic device 300 inserted into the head so that the LCD display screen appears where the face of the simulated head 200 would appear. The simulated head is supported by a stand 400. FIG. 1 shows an accessory 500 in the form of a wig attached to the simulated head 100. The simulated head can be that of a person, doll, toy figure, or living thing with human-like characteristics, such as a clock with hands and feet.

FIG. 2A shows the simulated head 200 with an ear wherein the portable electronic device 300 is detached and an indentation 600 in the simulated head is visible. The ears may permanently form part of the simulated head or may be an accessory 500 that is attachable and detachable. FIG. 2B shows a portable electronic device 300 within a frame 700 to assist in attaching the portable electronic device 300 to the simulated head 200. The frame may contain artwork 800 in the form of ears and earrings or other head accessories. FIG. 2C shows the simulated head with a wig accessory 500.

An image of a recorded or pre-recorded face appears on the LCD display screen of the portable electronic device 300. The recorded or pre-recorded face can be taken from a video recorded by a user and/or downloaded from software containing video files of different subjects, including persons, animals, and cartoons as seen in FIG. 3.

FIG. 4A and B shows the simulated head 200 with a body 800 so that the first embodiment can appear in the form of a large doll. FIG. 4A and 4B show accessories 500 in the form of a hat and wig. Other accessories 500 can include ears, hair, antennas, beard, goatee, headwear, protective headwear, a mane, horns, halo, gills, fins, neck frills, or earrings and jewelry.

FIG. 5A and 5B show two simulated heads 200 connected by two bodies, in this case, a girl riding a horse wherein one portable electronic device is inserted in the simulated head of the girl and another portable electronic device is inserted in the simulated head of the horse.

FIG. 6 shows a second embodiment of the inventive apparatus 100 in the form of a computer monitor with means for attaching various accessories 500. The attachment means (not shown) may be hook and loop type fasteners. The video images of faces are either recorded by the user or pre-recorded in software capable of storing, recording, and displaying video files of different subjects, including persons, animals, and cartoons. See FIG. 3. The accessories 500 depicted include a hat and a goatee. A detachable and attachable frame 700 is used to depict different types of ears or jewelry accessories.

FIG. 7 is a third embodiment of the inventive apparatus 100 in the form of a doll comprised of electronic components capable of playing an audio-visual image. An LCD display screen 900 is disposed in the head of the doll where the face would normally appear, while the electronic components, including a video card, printed circuits, wires, and batteries, are integrated into the body of the doll. The electronic components may include a wireless connectivity device or a USB port in the body of the doll which allows a user to download various images of faces stored in software capable of storing, recording, and displaying video images of different subjects, including persons, animals, and cartoons. See FIG. 3. 

1. A simulated head apparatus of a person, doll, toy figure, or living thing, with or without a body, comprised of An electronic device capable of playing audio-visual images; an LCD display screen as part of, or connected to, the electronic device; computer software for storing, recording, and playing audio-visual images of recorded or pre-recorded faces, including faces of persons, animals, and cartoon characters; and permanently attached or detachably attached accessories for the simulated head apparatus resembling physical characteristics of a head, including ears, earrings, hair, antennas, beard, goatee, headwear, a mane, horns, or a halo; or a frame depicting artwork resembling said physical characteristics; wherein the simulated head apparatus comprises an indentation where a face would normally appear into which the LCD display screen is disposed.
 2. The simulated head apparatus of claim 1, wherein the toy figure is a robot, alien, insect, animal, or dinosaur.
 3. The simulated head apparatus of claim 1, wherein the living thing is an inanimate object with human-like characteristics, such as ears, hands, feet, face, or torso.
 4. The simulated head apparatus of claim 1, wherein, in the case where the LCD display screen is part of the electronic device, the electronic device is a portable electronic device which is removable from the simulated head apparatus.
 5. The simulated head apparatus of claim 1, wherein, in the case of a body, the body resembles that of a person, doll, robot, alien, insect, animal, dinosaur or inanimate object with human-like characteristics.
 6. The simulated head apparatus of claim 5, wherein the electronic device is integrated into the body and is connected to the LCD display screen which is integrated into the simulated head apparatus.
 7. The simulated head apparatus of claim 1, wherein, in the case without a body, the simulated head apparatus further comprises a stand.
 8. The simulated head apparatus of claim 1, wherein the simulated head apparatus is connected to at least one other simulated head apparatus by means of at least one body.
 9. A simulated head apparatus of a person, doll, toy figure, or living thing, comprised of computer software for storing, recording, and playing audio-visual images of recorded or pre-recorded faces, including faces of persons, animals, and cartoon characters; and permanently attached or detachably attached accessories for the simulated head apparatus resembling physical characteristics of a head, including ears, earrings, hair, antennas, beard, goatee, headwear, a mane, horns, or a halo; or a frame depicting artwork resembling said physical characteristics; wherein the simulated head apparatus is a computer monitor in the shape of a head with means for attaching said accessories or frame.
 10. The simulated head apparatus of claim 9, wherein the toy figure is a robot, alien, insect, animal, or dinosaur.
 11. The simulated head apparatus of claim 9, wherein the living thing is an inanimate object with human-like characteristics, such as ears, hair, or beard. 